About this project

$7,620

pledged of $7,500 goal

132

backers

Apollinaire in the Park is New England's only free, outdoor, bilingual summer theater.

Apollinaire Theatre Company is one of a kind. From fall to spring we put on great shows as a professional theatre company. Then, in the summer, we go outside to entertain our audiences in both English and Spanish, for free, in Chelsea's beautiful Mary O'Malley Waterfront Park. There’s nobody else who is doing the work that we’re doing (Check out our reviews.Seriously.They’re awesome.Really awesome).

"Each act is in a different location through out Mary O’Malley Park with the audience following the actors during intermission. The sunset, view of the river, docks, mural, and brilliant staging make a surprisingly fitting backdrop..."-New England Theatre Geek

Our summer show draws both English and Spanish speaking audiences from across the region, often people who would have no access to performing arts otherwise. this is our 11th year of production. Every year, we depend on donations to help us mount the production. It is only possible with your support — help bring bilingual to the bridge!

Why Kickstarter?

Your donation makes this show possible! We have started rehearsals, and we need your support to ensure we don't go into the red and can continue to create great free theatre for our community. We have chosen Kickstarter because it has been successful for us in the past, and through it we can engage a wide range of people. But if we do not make our goal of $7,500 here on Kickstarter, we will receive no money at all.

La Llorna in ¡Bocon!

What will the money go towards?

This year, the total cost of the show comes out to $34,000. Your donations will go towards:

Mobilizing a fantastic team of 14 actors, many of whom are returning from past summers and our stellar season.

Compensating our talented design team to transform the park into something magical.

Hiring four stage managers and house managers to run four locations throughout the park.

Building masks, costumes, and prop pieces, some of which we're offering as rewards!

Painting a muralbackdrop, which remains in the park all year.

Acquiring park permits and insurance, and covering rehearsal costs.

Promoting our show through postcards, posters, and social media.

Invasion!

When is it happening?

Our show dates are July 9th-27th, Wednesdays through Sundays, at 7:30 PM. Our shows this year are "Invasion!" by Jonas Hassen Khemiri and, for young audiences, "¡Bocón!" by Lisa Loomer. Invasion will be performed in English and Spanish, "¡Bocón!" is written to be understood in both languages. Here's the performance calendar:

As you can see, we have a lot to do, and we're excited to do it — we'll see you in the park!

“I can’t remember having a more enchanting and lively summer eve in all the years I have lived in Boston.” - EdgeBoston

About the Plays

At once hilarious, disturbing, and poignant, "Invasion!" centers around a mysterious name: Abulkasem. First encountered in the historical epic “Signora Luna,” Abulkasem has many meanings. It becomes the perfect all-purpose word, and the name of a gay Lebanese dancer, a radical feminist Muslim theatre director, an asylum seeking apple-picker, a stuttering telemarketer, and the world’s most sought after potential terrorist. Swedish playwright Khemiri looks at our fear of The Other from an ever shifting kaleidoscopic array of perspectives.

"¡Bocón!," a fable filled with humor and mysticism and song, tells the story of twelve-year-old Miguel who flees a repressive military regime. A natural storyteller and irrepressible "big mouth" or bocón, Miguel loses his voice when his parents are taken and begins a metaphorical journey north to the City of Angels. Along the way he meets up with an unusual traveling companion, La Llorona, the legendary "Weeping Woman" of Mexican and Central American mythology. Through their magical friendship, Miguel finds his voice and the courage to cross the border to a new life. Miguel's story is relevant to immigrant children from all parts of the world... and to any child who is learning the many meanings of finding one's own "voice."

"Having discovered a gem in Apollinaire Theatre Company… whatever they produce will be worth seeing."

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Pledge $240 or more
About $240

ROOM THERAPY — A two-hour sessions with Sarah Krieger, an interior designer and decorator and long-time friend of Apollinaire. For more information and before/after photos, visit http://www.theroomtherapist.com/

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Pledge $250 or more
About $250

TOSCANINI'S — You and up to four friends get to create a flavor at the world-famous Toscanini's Ice Cream! Take a tour of the kitchen, and then design a flavor to be sold in the store with master Ice-Cream maker Gus Rancatore. Plus, you get 4 pints!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

INVASION! —You can take part in the performance for one night as a walk-on, and we will announce you as our "featured performer" for the night! + a costume or set piece as memorabilia + Unlimited tickets to our party + Unlimited chairs + Photo + Hat + Souvenir + Big Thanks